Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 266: Being There For Him

Chapter 266: Being There For Him

Leander gently caressed Viviana’s hair as she lay on his lap. She must be very tired to sleep through the noise of the helicopter. She took painkillers and that must be it.

He leaned back and closed his eyes. His brief meeting with Father Patrick replayed in his mind. That priest knows more than he thinks. He planned on visiting him again after Evander’s funeral.

He left Katerina and Martha in Abenney. After Evander’s funeral, he decided to bring his wife there. It felt more like home for him. Maybe he should bring his cats there.

He decided to read the letter in the meantime. He tried to pull it out from his pocket, but it disturbed Viviana. He decided to find another convenient time to read the letter.

He looked out and they were already near their house. He tried to keep her asleep, but she woke up just as the helicopter landed.

"What time is it?" Viviana asked.

She was tired and still wanted to sleep more.

"It’s two a.m. Go to sleep," Leander sent her upstairs. He needed to keep the letter safe from reaching to his wife’s hands before he gets to read it.

When Leander went to the bedroom, it was dark and cold. He couldn’t even imagine being in that room without his wife. He’d rather not.

Viviana woke up early hearing a phone ring. She thought it was early morning but it was seven a.m. She didn’t know who was calling her. The number blinking on the screen was unfamiliar.

"Answer it," Leander said.

"You’re still here," she mumbled. It was odd Leander was there when she wakes up.

She answered the phone. Her eyes widened hearing the voice from the other end.

"Sister Deborah?"

Viviana had a lot of questions but she kept it to herself as Sister Deborah sounded somber.

"Father Patrick was called for his everlasting rest last night," Sister Deborah said in a soft voice. "He had his rosary in his hands and had a smile on his face. He must have been listening to your song in repeat. It was still playing when we got to him in the morning. Your husband gave me your number just in case and I know you would want to know."

"Thank you for telling me," Viviana said. "And I’m sorry for..."

She couldn’t even finish her sentence as tears dripped from her eyes. No matter how many times she hears sad news, she becomes unable to function. Her brain shuts down.

Leander wrapped his arms around her shoulder and patted her back bring her out of her reverie.

"I left Abenney last night and I..." she stuttered.

"As Father Patrick advised, stay with your husband, Melanie. I’ll talk to you later," Sister Deborah said and ended the call.

Viviana looked at Leander. "Father Patrick is dead, Leander," she leaned on his chest and sobbed. "The last person who loved me is dead... I have no one left... everyone’s leaving me...I’m alone..."

Leander kissed her head. "You still have me... Don’t forget me..." he said.

He couldn’t even get mad at her for grieving. He was sad too. He stayed with her until she calmed down a little and made sure she ate something.

Viviana calmed down after a while. She thought Father Patrick had days left, but he only had hours left.

"Leander, thank you so much," she hugged him and cried. "You have no idea how big a favor you did to me. I wouldn’t have lived it if I didn’t meet Father Patrick at least once... Thank you so much..."

"Don’t cry," he patted her head.

He was glad be met that old priest too. He got some clarity.

"Do you want to be there?" he asked.

His grandfather is already asking him to bring his wife to the Rose Gardens. But he can bring her to Abenney where there are people who loves her for who she is.

"No," Viviana shook her head. "I’m staying with you."

She would prefer to attend Father Patrick’s funeral than Evander’s. But Father Patrick asked her to be with her husband. And that’s what she will do.

"It’s a tough time for you too, isn’t it?" Viviana held Leander’s cheeks. She smiled and her eyes watered, this time remembering the sacrifices Leander is making for her.

He hid her miscarriage to not let her suffer. He hid his grief. He is taking care of her just as he always does even though he needs to arrange a funeral. She knows how tough it is. It would be tougher for Leander considering the people who would be attending the funeral.

"How is your mother holding up?" She asked him.

She did not have an ounce of care for Viola. But she knew how partial Viola was toward Evander. She almost despised Leander. With Evander dead, her tantrums would be worse.

Did she hurt Leander?

"She’s... devastated," he said. He was surprised she cared for his mother. She cares for everyone.

"She did not hurt you, did she?" she asked. She knew that Viola would be devastated. But that’s not what she cared about.

Leander smiled and leaned his weight on her hands.

So, she cared for him.

"I didn’t mind her," he said rubbing the frown line between her eyes.

He dind’t want to aggrieve her further. She is already in great pain, and now she has learned of the passing of her mentor. She doesn’t have to know what his mother told him.

"What did she say?" Viviana asked.

Leander buried his face in her shoulder. "I didn’t mind her."

Viviana kissed his head. For him to refuse to talk about it... it must be something so devastating.

"You have me, Leander. Don’t forget that," she said.

His mother might have hurt him. She hurt him in the past too. But she wanted to be there for him for the rest of her life. She wanted to make him happy.

"I know. I know I have you, Lemon. I love you," Leander said.

He knows it. She is showing how much she loves him.

He wanted to ask her if she had any particular reason to commission an angel stature for the garden. He had a sliver of doubt whether she had figured out the truth.

But he decided against asking her.

What if asking her makes her doubt? She has enough on her plate already.